Celebration of life for Roger Bergen on Oct. 22

Lincoln native Roger Van Dyke Bergen, 78, of Stonington, Maine, passed away on September 19th, 2023 after a battle with advanced lung disease.  

He was born on July 6, 1945 to Kenneth and Emily Bergen in Cambridge and grew up with his two sisters and a brother in “fertile valley” Lincoln. After graduating from Boston University in 1967 with a B.A. in philosophy, he went on to earn his master’s degree in 1970 in fine woodworking, studying under the Danish designer Tage Frid at the Rhode Island School of Design, and fine woodworking remained his lifelong passion.

From 1974-1977 Roger taught woodworking at Sandwich High School on Cape Cod, later claiming that it was, bar none, the most rewarding job of his career. It was at this time that he met Susan, whom he married; they had two children, Cortney and Andrew. In 1977 he opened a wood gallery, the Eastham Woodery, featuring fine woodworkers throughout the country. In 1981 he was discovered by CML, which recruited him to take over Mason and Sullivan Clock Co. before heading up two nationally renowned organizations: The Nature Company/Smith & Hawken (CEO) for 15 years and then moving back to Lincoln to run Earthwatch (CEO & president) for 10 years. Back in Lincoln he connected to land conservation with The Rural Land Foundation. This was his springboard to preserving areas from overdevelopment.      

Roger retired in 2000 and moved with Susan to Maine. He and his family had grown up spending summers on Isle Au Haut, a small island off the coast of Stonington, and always had fond memories of the coastal town. He was determined to stay busy and contribute to the community so he joined the town planning board and became chairman of the Board of Trustees for Island Heritage Trust, a Conservation Land Trust for Deer Isle and the surrounding islands. It was from his time running The Nature Company and Earthwatch that he developed a passion for the preservation of unspoiled land.  In his downtime he enjoyed the casual round of golf, island-hopping with his family, and lobster dinners.

Roger thoroughly embraced life, remaining inquisitive and connected to the very end. He was “so grateful for the life that he lived with his family, friends and organizations” (saying this as he passed away). Roger was predeceased by Kenneth Bergen (father), Emily Bergen (mother) and Cabby Bergen (sister). He is survived by Susan Bergen (wife), Andrew Bergen (son), Cortney Murray (daughter), Nancy Bergen of Lincoln (sister), and Bruce Bergen (brother).

A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held on Sunday, Oct. 22 from noon-2 p.m. at Roger’s son’s house at 1 Sayles Rd., Hingham, MA 02043. Donations in his name can be made to Island Heritage Trust, P.O. Box 42, 420 Sunset Rd., Deer Isle, Maine  04627 (207-348-2455).